Crypto and the bank in 2026: can you deposit your crypto profits into a Belgian bank account?

With the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies, we are increasingly asked the same practical questions by investors: can crypto gains be transferred without issues to a Belgian bank account, and do “crypto-friendly” banks actually exist in Belgium?

The short answer is that Belgian banks are not inherently hostile to cryptocurrencies, but they are subject to strict anti-money laundering and know-your-customer obligations. In principle, crypto-related funds can be credited to a bank account, provided that the origin of the funds is clear, traceable and properly documented. In the absence of a well-prepared file, banks will almost invariably raise additional questions and, in certain cases, may even block the transfer or report it to the anti-money laundering authorities.

In this article, we explain why banks are so cautious when crypto assets are converted into fiat currency, which questions they typically ask, whether alternatives such as Revolut offer a solution and, most importantly, how you can prepare in practice to avoid issues when transferring crypto gains to your bank account.

Why banks are so cautious with crypto: the KYC obligation

Banks are subject to Know Your Customer (KYC) obligations, a core principle of anti-money laundering (AML) legislation , as established by the law of September 18, 2017. These obligations are intended to prevent the financial system from being misused for money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illegal activities. Article 8 of the law obliges financial institutions to:

• Checking clients and transactions : Banks need to know who their customers are, the origin of the money, and whether transactions comply with the law.

• To maintain internal oversight : This includes risk management models, internal procedures, and checks for suspicious transactions.

For banks, this means that every deposit or transaction deemed suspicious will be further investigated. This reluctance is often greater with cryptocurrencies, as the origin of the funds is not always clear.

Why banks are asking questions about crypto transactions

Unfortunately, crypto is still often associated with fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering. This is, of course, unjustified in most cases. The traditional financial system remains the most widely used system for criminals worldwide.

Nevertheless, it's a reality that banks are often hesitant about the use of crypto and investments in it. When significant amounts are deposited into a bank account, especially if they originate from crypto platforms, banks will almost always ask questions. Common questions include:

• When did you start investing?

• What is the source of the original invested funds? Evidence, such as bank statements or other documents, is required.

• Have you complied with tax regulations? For example, have you correctly declared foreign accounts and whether the income has been included for tax purposes?

• How many trades have you made, and what is the value of your portfolio? In some cases, the bank even asks for details about your realized profit/loss and an overview of all transactions executed on crypto exchanges.

Banks want to ensure that the funds deposited into your bank account do not originate from illegal activities. If the bank has any doubts about the legality or justification of the transaction, it may be obligated to report it to the CFI (Financial Intelligence Processing Unit), the Belgian anti-money laundering unit. Such a report is made completely confidentially, without informing the client, and can lead to an investigation by the tax authorities or, in some cases, a police interrogation. A well-documented and clearly substantiated file is therefore crucial.

Experience shows that proactively informing your bank about upcoming deposits can alleviate many concerns. Demonstrating transparency and a well-prepared file increases the likelihood that your funds will be accepted by the bank.

A tax ruling can also speed up the process at a bank. Based on this ruling, you can demonstrate that the tax authorities are aware of the existence of these crypto profits and their tax treatment. This allows the KYC and AML checks to proceed (normally) more quickly. Of course, a complete file remains essential in any case.

the use of revolution

To avoid the complexity of more traditional banks, we see many clients opting for alternative solutions, such as a (foreign) bank account with Revolut .

Revolut generally offers a more flexible approach and appears less restrictive when converting cryptocurrencies to fiat. Many investors use these accounts as an intermediate step to subsequently transfer funds to their Belgian bank account.

While this may seem convenient at first, transactions from a Revolut account to a Belgian bank account can also be flagged . Belgian banks often ask the same questions about the origin of the funds in these cases, especially if significant amounts are involved. Therefore, using a Revolut bank account doesn't guarantee you'll avoid inquiries from your (Belgian) bank.

In some cases, transactions through Revolut can even raise additional suspicion. Therefore, banks continue to comply with their legal obligations here as well and require the same transparency and documentation as for direct deposits.

The impact of DAC8 on crypto deposits and bank controls

As from 1 January 2026, the DAC8 framework becomes applicable, requiring crypto-asset service providers (such as exchanges and certain other crypto service providers) to collect data on EU-resident users and their relevant crypto activities during the 2026 calendar year, with the first reporting to tax authorities taking place as from 2027.

This information is subsequently exchanged automatically between EU Member States, giving the Belgian tax authorities much faster and broader insight into accounts, platform activity and transaction flows that were previously less transparent. Although DAC8 is formally a tax reporting instrument (and not a banking rule), it indirectly affects bank controls in practice. Banks are aware that tax authorities have access to more extensive and detailed data and will therefore scrutinise more strictly the coherence between (i) the source-of-funds explanation and transaction logs provided, (ii) the amounts actually credited to the bank account, and (iii) the taxpayer’s overall tax position.

For larger amounts, inconsistencies or gaps may more readily lead to additional questions, temporary blocks or, in more serious cases, a report to the Belgian Financial Intelligence Processing Unit (CFI) in the context of AML/KYC obligations. In Belgium, this is further reinforced by the extension of reporting obligations to the Central Point of Contact (CAP), including the reporting of semi-annual balances of crypto accounts, providing the tax authorities with additional data points to cross-check against bank transactions.

Conclusion: Cashing out crypto profits requires preparation

Achieving crypto profits is just the first hurdle. A second, and often more complex, step is actually receiving these funds in your bank account. Banks have legal obligations to verify the origin of these funds, and without proper preparation, they may block deposits or ask additional questions.

A well-prepared file with transparent information about your investments and tax compliance is therefore crucial. Proactively contacting your bank and answering their questions before the actual transfer can prevent many problems.

FAQ – Crypto and bank accounts in Belgium

Can I transfer crypto gains directly to my Belgian bank account?

Yes, this is technically possible. In practice, banks will almost always ask questions when larger amounts or unusual transactions are involved. This follows from their anti-money laundering obligations and does not in itself indicate a problem.

From what amount will a bank ask questions about crypto?

There is no fixed threshold. Banks apply a risk-based approach and take into account the amount, the frequency of transactions, the client’s profile and the origin of the funds. Even relatively modest amounts can trigger checks.

What information does a bank request for crypto deposits?

Banks typically ask about the initial investment, the origin of those funds, the exchanges or wallets used and the way crypto was converted into fiat. The tax treatment of the income and whether wallets have been declared are also usually reviewed.

Do crypto gains need to be tax-compliant before being deposited?

Yes. Banks assess not only the economic origin of the funds, but also whether the tax treatment is coherent. Uncertainty or non-compliance significantly increases the risk of a block or a report.

Does withdrawing crypto gains in smaller amounts help?

No. Splitting amounts (“structuring”) does not offer protection. Banks analyse transactions cumulatively and may consider this behaviour an additional risk factor.

Are there crypto-friendly banks in Belgium?

Not in the sense that they accept crypto-related funds without questions. All banks are subject to the same anti-money laundering obligations. In practice, some banks are clearly more reluctant towards crypto than others, while some have more experience with crypto-related files and therefore handle them more efficiently and pragmatically. The difference lies not in the legal rules, but in internal risk policies and familiarity with crypto.

KBC, for example, allows investments in certain crypto-assets via its Bolero investment platform. This does not mean that KBC has become more crypto-friendly with respect to external crypto deposits. When fiat funds originate from an external crypto exchange, KBC, like other banks, remains subject to strict KYC and anti-money laundering controls.

Does it matter if I use a MiCA-licensed exchange?

Yes, in practice this often makes a clear difference. Especially for larger sales or partial liquidations of a crypto portfolio, banks generally expect the conversion into fiat to take place via a MiCA-licensed exchange. On-chain sales without a regulated intermediary are assessed much more critically for larger amounts and more often lead to additional questions or refusal.

Is Revolut an alternative to traditional banks?

Not necessarily. Revolut also applies strict controls and may block crypto-related deposits. In addition, Belgian banks may raise new questions when funds are transferred from a Revolut account.

What if my bank refuses or blocks a crypto deposit?

A refusal does not automatically mean that the funds are illegal. Often the bank considers the file insufficiently clear or too risky. In that case, additional documentation or an adjusted approach may be sufficient. If the bank nevertheless refuses approval, it may in some cases be considered to contact another bank. A complete and coherent file remains essential, as other banks apply the same anti-money laundering obligations and carry out their own risk assessment.

Can my bank file a report without informing me?

Yes. If a bank has doubts about the legality of the funds, it may file a report with the Belgian Financial Intelligence Processing Unit. The client is not informed of such a report.

Do you have questions about your specific situation, have you received questions from your bank regarding crypto deposits, or are you planning to deposit a significant amount into your Belgian bank account in the near future? Schedule a no-obligation meeting using the button below. During this meeting, we'll discuss your specific situation in detail, and you'll immediately receive our initial insights and tips.

If you have any other questions about crypto, be sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Christophe Romero Senne Verholle

christophe.romero@aeacus.be senne.verholle@aeacus.be